Waking Up in France and Surviving With a Smile

Matthew is eight years old. He lives in New Zealand where he is quite happy with his friends, his school and his routines. But then his world literally turns upside-down as his parents take him and his brother and sister to the other side of the world - to France - for his Dad to do some study. Written with Matthew's voice, perspective and humour, we follow his first two years of bewildering, confusing, and often amusing challenges: facing a new school, a new culture, a new way of life, all in a language that is completely unknown to him. This story, illustrated with over 100 photographs, vividly accounts Matthew's frights, fears and then fun as he eventually adapts to the new life, and survives, right-side-up, and with a smile. Matthew's story is an inspirational read for all ages.

Sara Crompton Meade was born and raised in New Zealand, and currently lives in Ramonville St-Agne, France with her husband and their three fluently French-speaking and totally immersed young children. You can read more about her and her family’s adventures on her blogsite: now at www.saracromptonmeade.wordpress.com or you can contact her at nzfrance.stories@gmail.com. www.saracromptonmeade.com